Standing on the steps of The Century House (l- r) are Linda Dye, Virginia Lacy,Virginia Grace Laney, Charlene Herring, and Liz Henry. Not pictured: Peni Chandler and Karen Ruff.

When people think of the first weekend in May, Virginia Lacy hopes they think about visiting her small town. On Saturday, May 2, Ridgeway - population 340 - will hold its third annual Arts on the Ridge festival, a day dedicated to honoring local artisans. This picture perfect Southern town, with a tea room larger than the police station and rows of quaint businesses lining Main Street, hopes to draw artists from across the state to its festival.

"I've always thought art was a wonderful way for people to express their ideas and feelings," the retired Satchel Ford Elementary School principal said. "They enrich our lives, and I'm glad to be a part of that."

One Sunday four years ago, New York transplant Liz Henry approached the town's mayor Charlene Herring with three things she wanted to do in Ridgeway - hold an arts festival, a concert series, and a quilt show. Arts on the Ridge was born from that conversation.

Virginia Lacy and her granddaughter stand by the quilt made by women from Ridgeway. Each square is signed.

The festival grew from a handful of paintings displayed in the town's office, an 1800s home called The Century House, to over 30 artisans and vendors spilling out onto the house's grounds and across Dogwood Avenue. Festivalgoers will be able to see the artists at work and also purchase some of their creations.

"Vendors wanted to come in last year," Henry said. "But I said 'no, we aren't ready for that.' Sometimes you grow too fast and have growing pains that you can't repair."

The festival's growth has remained steady with crowds increasing. This year musicians of all colors from jazz to vocal will perform on The Century House porch throughout the day. The variety of art displayed is also expanding to include inlaid wood, photography, acrylic painting, watercolor, egg tempura, painted children's clothing, pen and ink sketches, and charcoal. Students from Blythewood and Fairfield high schools will also contribute. Quilts, which have played a prominent role since the festival's inception, will also be on display.

The mayor of Ridgeway, Charlene Herring

One of the premiere artists exhibiting at the show is air brush expert Dru Blair. The nationally- known painter was born in Fairfield County and has recently returned. Blair's focus has been on realist air brush paintings on a variety of themes from aviation to popular icons like the Budweiser frogs.

And for those not content to just sit back and watch, local artist and owner of the Red Tree Gallery Linda Dye will have a large canvas where budding artists can paint freely. She will provide buckets of paint, brushes, and clean up water.

"People can stop and paint what they want," Dye said. "We all just need to keep getting exposed to art and just do it."

In addition to art and music, the McMaster Foundation in conjunction with the Fairfield County Public Library will be giving away free books to children.

In the future, the Arts on the Ridge committee hopes to add even more features like food vendors and incorporate drama performances during the day. Lacy would eventually like to offer tours of some of the town's historic homes.

"I think Arts on the Ridge is kind of a natural way to help celebrate what's here in our community," Lacy said. "I think there is a wealth of different and varied talents here."

Arts on the Ridge will be held from 10 am- 4 pm at 170 S. Dogwood Ave., Ridgeway.